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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Rich Jones

Liverpool issue statement demanding investigation after Champions League final chaos

Liverpool have issued a statement saying they are "hugely disappointed" with events ahead of the Champions League final in Paris and have demanded a formal investigation.

Their clash with Real Madrid was delayed by 36 minutes due to issues faced by travelling Reds fans attempting to enter the Stade de France. Tear gas and pepper spray were deployed on fans attempting to enter the stadium as chaos ensued in the French capital.

A club statement from Liverpool FC read: "We are hugely disappointed at the stadium entry issues and breakdown of the security perimeter that Liverpool fans faced this evening at Stade de France.

"This is the greatest match in European football and supporters should not have to experience the scenes we have witnessed tonight. We have officially requested a formal investigation into the causes of these unacceptable issues."

Hundreds of armed French police officers with shields, tear gas and barriers could be seen running around outside the Stade de France. Large groups of fans, many with tickets for the game, continued to wait outside the stadium.

One fan, Carl Noades, 63, told the PA news agency: "There only seems to be one gate open, it's ridiculous, the game's kicked off and we're stuck outside. It's a disgrace, the way they're treating us is shocking, there's no organisation."

There were large patches of empty seats as the original kick-off time passed and went, with long queues forming due to a distinct lack of organisation. Some ticketless fans were seen scaling the perimeter fence or attempting to dart past security.

Liverpool have demanded an investigation after the chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France (PA)

At least one gate was locked outside the ground – Gate Y, which was the main one for the Liverpool end. Fans were seen up against the fence shouting at people to sort the situation out and let them in.

UEFA issued their own statement blaming fans who had purchased fake tickets and explaining the build-up of fans which it created outside the turnstiles.

The UEFA statement read: "In the lead-up to the game, the turnstiles at the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands fans who had purchased fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles.

"This created a build-up of fans trying to get in. As a result, the kick off was delayed by 35 minutes to allow as many fans as possible with genuine tickets to gain access.

"As numbers outside the stadium continued to build up after kick off, the police dispersed them with tear gas and forced them away from the stadium.

"UEFA is sympathetic to those affected by these events and will further review these matters urgently together with the French police and authorities, and with the French Football Federation."

There will be more to follow on this breaking news story.

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